STANDARDS will not be raised at a village council's headquarters because it would cost too much time and money.

Councillors were keen on the idea for Carnegie Hall in Skewen, but their enthusiasm flagged when they found out what it entailed.

They wanted to resurrect the flagpole that once stood outside the landmark building in Evelyn Road.

It was an idea that suggested itself to Councillor Annette Wingrave during last year's Remembrance event at the cenotaph in the hall's grounds.

"I was a bit put out that we didn't have a flag pole," she said. "I saw the kids with their banners and thought it would be nice if we had a flag pole out the front.

"I think we should have one. I think it would sell the area better. Our clerk has some concerns but I believe it would be a good idea.

"We did have one but it was taken down for some reason."

Councillor Betsan Richards said: "Because we could have vandalism, perhaps we could put it on the building."

But the prospect of vandalism was not the problem. Instead, the unexpected amount of hassle having a flagpole would create convinced councillors to drop the idea.

Chairman Keith Davies said there was a list of around 10 different flags that Coedffranc Community Council, as a public body, would be obliged to fly on set days if it had a pole to fly them from.

These occasions included the Queen's birthday and St David's Day.

Mrs Wingrave said: "If I had known all that before, I wouldn't have asked for it."